DLIB NEWSLETTER - MARCH 08


	INTRODUCTION
	Our ‘Big Debate’ section has always proved to be a popular feature of the bulletin. However, few questions previously posed have attracted the interest – and indeed the response – to the one we asked last month about the policy of zero tolerance being introduced to Liverpool. A massive 86% of you believe that zero tolerance is the way forward for this city to tackle crime, and the fear of crime. More importantly, many of you feel it would send a clear statement to the rest of the UK that Liverpool is not a crime- ridden haven for malcontents. With Bernard Hogan-Howe’s comments about gun crime also suggesting a tougher law and order approach, DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna presents the case for a zero tolerant Liverpool. Elsewhere in this months bulletin, the Editorial Director of leading business magazine Insider, Michael Taylor, offers his thoughts on the South of France soiree that is Mipim; local politics look set to get interesting again as Labour targets Liverpool; and Business of the Month for March is the firm everyone is talking about at the moment – Midas. There is also a last chance for you to nominate your company for a business Oscar, whilst we bring you news of a host of forthcoming DLIB events. Read on and enjoy…


	TOTALLY FRANK
	Zero Tolerance – a policy whose time has come? Frank McKenna states the case for! READ MORE You can hear Frank ‘talking frankly’ on City Talk’s Dean Sullivan show on Wednesday’s 2pm-3pm.


	OSCARS - LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE
	In association with the Northwest Development Agency, Brabners Chaffe Street, No name Kitchens and City Talk, DLIB will host the fourth annual Liverpool Business Oscars in July. Last year witnessed a record number of nominations for the eight awards up for grabs, and we anticipate an even keener interest this year. To check out the award categories, and to make a nomination(s) for 08, please CLICK HERE


	LABOUR MAKES LIVERPOOL ITS NUMBER ONE TARGET
	The Labour Party made a clear statement of intent at a high profile business breakfast held during March at the Café Sports Bar on Stanley Street. Culture Minister Andy Burnham declared Liverpool City Council as Labour’s number one target in the forthcoming local elections. Buoyed by a series of high profile difficulties for the current ruling Liberal Democrat group, Labour were also boosted by the decision of Beatrice Fraenkel to ‘cross the floor’ to join them, following her de-selection as a Lib Dem candidate. May’s election promises to be the most keenly contested in a decade!


	ARENA HOSTS LIB-DEM CONFERENCE…
	New Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg used his party’s three-day spring conference, held at the city’s new Arena and Convention centre to outline the achievements of the Lib Dem controlled Liverpool City Council. “There have been some major achievements in education and anti-social behavior and the extraordinary feat of both winning and hosting the Capital of Culture.” And here we were thinking that it was the ‘people of Liverpool wot won it!’


	AND THE TORIES ARE IN TOWN TOO
	Impressive Tory Shadow Minister Mark Frisk visited Liverpool earlier this month, in a continuation of the Conservatives charm offensive in the North West. Speaking at an event hosted by Rensburgs, Mr. Frisk was generous in his praise of our city’s regeneration, though less impressed with Alistair Darlings first budget! DLIB Chairman Frank McKenna, and ‘Livercool’ entrepreneur of the year, Tony Caldeira, also contributed to a lively debate.


	FUNDING BOOST FOR AFFORDABLE HOMES
	Liverpool has secured a £38million Housing Corporation Grant to help increase the number of affordable homes in the city. The money, part of an £80million investment, will provide nearly 1,000 new refurbished homes for sale or rent in Toxteth, Norris Green, Dovecot and Garston.


	TOUGH ON CRIME
	Liverpool’s police chief, Bernard Hogan-Howe has criticized judges for ignoring the mandatory five-year minimum sentence for possession of a firearm. Speaking to the Times, the impressive Hogan Howe commented: “Locally, there is evidence of sentencing where the power has been available and not been used and that is simply wrong.”


	GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS FOR JLA
	The disappointment of Globespan’s announcement that they will not be re-introducing their New York flight from JLA, was tempered by the news that the rejuvenated airport enjoyed a bumper Easter bank holiday, with over 65,000 passengers boarding the 480 flights from Liverpool’s runways.


	EDUCATION, EDUCATION - AND BUSINESS
	Liverpool’s first business academy looks set to go ahead as part of a £400 million secondary school shake-up in the city. The new school will see Allerton’s New Heys comprehensive and Garston RC secondary school join forces on a new site by 2013.


	PROPERTY GROUP MAY DUMP MANCHESTER FOR LIVERPOOL
	LDP Business reports that stock market quoted company, property specialist Your Space, want to re-locate its head office to Liverpool from its current Manchester base. Your Space is listed on the Alternative Investment Market and is currently valued at around £20million.


	MIPIM – PISS UP OR PROMOTION?
	The property fest that is Mipim is seen by some as nothing more than a chance to ‘sexy network’ in Cannes, whilst others argue that attendance for cities that are looking to improve their image and attract inward investment is a must. Do you think that Liverpool needs to be at Mipim? CLICK HERE to vote.


	ZERO TOLERANCE
	We asked whether a Zero Tolerance approach should be introduced to Liverpool town centre? CLICK HERE to see the results.


	BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET
	CORPORATE WORK IN LIVEROOL DOUBLES Recent changes in Capital Gains Tax has led to a massive increase of work for the city’s corporate lawyers, according to Denise Walker, Corporate Partner at Brabners Chaffe Street. READ MORE


	MIDAS
	It’s been great to see DLIB new recruit, Midas, hitting the headlines for all the right reasons, locally, regionally and nationally. The companies reverse takeover of limia MiltonOptomal saw Midas valued at £100m and created a firm with £3bn of funds under management – and they’re based in Liverpool! Crowning glory for Midas chief Simon Edwards came in the latest issue of Insider magazine, who described him as ‘on fire’. To find out more about Midas, please CLICK HERE


	LIVERPOOL GETS ANOTHER CLASSY WATERFRONT!
	There seems to be a new lifestyle publication launch every week nowadays, so it was with little genuine excitement that DLIB awaited its first copy of new magazine ‘Waterfront’. But, with pleasant surprise, we discovered a classy, highly readable and serious addition to the range of free mags that are on offer – and one that delivers what it says on the tin! Managing Director Phil Harris claims that ‘Waterfront’ is an “exclusive new aspirational monthly publication tailored to satisfy the most discerning tastes.” And he is spot on. If you want to find out more about this excellent media offering visit www.waterfrontmagazines.co.uk


	BE OUR GUEST
	Michael Taylor, the Editorial Director of leading regional business magazine Insider, suggests that Mipim can be more than a piss up on a yacht! CLICK HERE for more


	‘THE NOMINEES ARE’…
	Join DLIB, along with our media partners City Talk, on the evening of Thursday 24th April as we ‘Sexy Network’ Cuban style. Live music, great food, and the usual business networking offering will be on offer, as the nominees for this years Liverpool ‘CubanOscars’ will be announced at a special event at the recently opened La Cubanita, on Campbell Square, opposite Jelons Bridewell. CLICK HERE to register.


	LIVERPOOL BUSINESS OSCARS
	The spectacular Sefton Park Palm House will once again be the venue for the Liverpool Business Oscars, on the evening of Thursday 24th July 2008. This year promises to be more lavish an occasion than ever before, with a Cuban theme planned for the night. With only a few tables now remaining, you are advised to book your places early to avoid disappointment. Please CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets for one of the premier business events of the year!


	WE ARE FOUR!!!!
	Bigger than ever, better than ever! This year we celebrate our 4th massive year with the kind of lavish decadence only DLIB knows how to deliver. Our host this year will be the stunning London Carriage Works at the Hope Street Hotel. Paul Askew, chef patron and hotly tipped for the first Michelin star for the city, will craft a masterpiece with his grudite table, food art that only a master could create. If you missed our adopted rat packer, the fantastic Alan Cross at the last ‘sexy’ networking evening, the birthday bash is where to catch him….and maybe a few other entertaining eye -openers. Thursday 22nd May is the date for THE birthday party of the summer; Friday 23rd is probably a good day to book off work! To register please CLICK HERE


	LIVERPOOL BUSINESS WEEK
	In association with the Northwest Development Agency, Brabners Chaffe Street, Noname Kitchens, Grant Thornton and City Talk, DLIB is organising the inaugural ‘Liverpool Business Week’ in June. Contributors to what promises to be a fabulous celebration of enterprise and entrepreneurship will include Lord Michael Heseltine, Steve Broomhead, Tony Caldeira, Phil Redmond, Lorraine Rogers, Joanne Jennings and many more. All the details coming soon!


	DLIB MEMBERS DINNER
	Our latest 08 event was a members’ dinner, held at Est Est Est, a fine establishment that provided the thirty plus guests with fine food and wines until the early hours. CLICK HERE for Carolyn Hughes’ review of an eventful evening.


	JOIN ‘THE BUSINESS CLUB WITH ATTITUDE’
	To see what benefits membership of the fastest growing business club in the North West can bring to your business, please CLICK HERE.